Wednesday, 23 March 2016 09:57

$895k for Marlborough irrigation

Written by 
Water from this project will most likely be used for wine grapes and arable crops, showing again that irrigation is about much more than just dairy. Water from this project will most likely be used for wine grapes and arable crops, showing again that irrigation is about much more than just dairy.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed new funding of $895,000 for the Flaxbourne Community Irrigation Scheme in Marlborough.

The funding comes from the Ministry for Primary Industries' Irrigation Acceleration Fund (IAF) and will help the Marlborough District Council complete concept designs, finalise funding arrangements, and begin the detailed design phase for the storage dam.

"Water from this project will most likely be used for wine grapes and arable crops, showing again that irrigation is about much more than just dairy," says Guy.

"Providing a reliable water supply for growers has major potential to boost growth, creating jobs and exports. This is especially important in Marlborough given the serious drought the region has suffered over the last 18 months."

The Flaxbourne Community Irrigation Scheme proposes to source water from the Awatere River at peak times for storage and distribution that will irrigate 2200ha.

"We know that viticulture involves significant employment and investment of around $40,000 per hectare, and once established has significantly higher annual turnover than the current dryland pasture uses.

"This funding is another positive step forward for this scheme which has strong community support. The project has the potential to boost Marlborough's economy by $15 million per year."

A full economic assessment is part of the IAF work programme that will be delivered by end of July 2016.

The proposal has been previously investigated in different forms since 2008, and most recently in late 2014 received IAF funding of $50,000.

More like this

Bikinis in cowshed

OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content posted on social media and adult entertainment subscription site OnlyFans.

Featured

All eyes on NZ milk supply

All eyes are on milk production in New Zealand and its impact on global dairy prices in the coming months.

Fencing excellence celebrated

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.

National

Machinery & Products

Tech might take time

Agritech Unleashed – a one-day event held recently at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton – focused on technology as an ‘enabler’…

John Deere acquires GUSS Automation

John Deere has announced the full acquisition of GUSS Automation, LLC, a globally recognised leader in supervised high-value crop autonomy,…

Fencing excellence celebrated

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

A step too far

OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…

Save us from SAFE

OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter